Automatic weighing and package-filling machine



(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 1.-

N5. 555,258. f Patented M55. 10, 1595.

www?? ANDREW EGRAHM. PNUYD-LITHD WSNINGTUN. D C

{No Model.)

8 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. H. DOBLE x5 G. W. WATSON.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING ANDPAGKAGE FILLING MAGHINE.

Patented Mar. 10., 1896.

www# I I ANnaiw a GRAHAM.PHDTDMTHQWASMINGTOMDc 8 Sheets-Sheet 3. W. H. DOBLE & G.W. WATSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND IACKAGE FILLING MACHINE. No. 556,258.

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 10,A 1896.

M.FHOTO^UTHO WASHINGTILDC (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W.' H. DOBLE 'an G. W. WATSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AN-D PACKAGE FILLING MACHINE. N9. 6,258. kg Patented Mar. 10, 18:96.

ANDREW B.GRAHAM FHOTOLITHQWASHINGTON DE (No Model.) SSheets--Sheet 5.

W. H. DOBLE 85 AG. W. WATSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING MACHINE.

Patented Mer. 10, 1896..

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W. H. DOBLE & G. W. WATSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING MAGHINB.

(No Model.)

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-W. H. DOBLE & G. W. W'AlSON.v AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PAGKAGB PJILLING MACHINE.

No. 556,258. ,Panama Mr. 10,1896.

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` .fff/ i @QW NDREW B GRAHAM P11010 LITHQWASMINGI'DKDL (No Model.)-

Y Y Y 8 sheets-sheet .8.. W. H. DOBLE 8u G. W. WATSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING MACHINE.

No. 556,258. Patented Mar. l0, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

WILLIAM n. DOBLE, OE QUINOY, AND GEORGE w. WATSON, OE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AssIeNoEs To THE ELEOTEIO SOALE COMPANY, or

KITTERY, MAINE.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE-FILLING MACHIE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,258, dated March 10, 1896.

Application filed Mal'll 5, 1895. Serial No. 540,573. (No model.)

To @ZZ 1071/0711/ it may concern:

Beit known that we, WILLIAM H. DOBLE, residing at Quincy, in the county of Norfolk, and GEORGE XV. VATSON, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk, Commonwealth of hilassachusetts, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in lVeighing and Package-Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying' drawings, which form a part hereof.

Our invention relates especially to that class of weighing-machines known as automatic weighing and package filling machines, and has particular reference to the scale-beam and its connections, the electrical contacts, and the mechanism for feeding` the goods and moving the packages.

The invention is especially adapted for a machine operated by electricity, and the machine shown in the drawings and particularly described in the specification will be of that class; but some features of the invention are applicable to machines operated in other ways, and it is not intended herein to limit to electrically-operated machines the claims for features that are adapted for use in other kinds of weighing-machines- It is found in practice that where the scale`l beam is constructed as one continuous beam the jarring of the machinery in a large factory causes the scale-beam to vibrate, so that when the package is filled to about the required weight the vibration prevents the electrical contact from being made as quickly as it should be made, and the gate is slow in closing, and there is consequently an overweight in the package.

The main feature of our invention consists in gate-opening and gate-closing mechanism in combination with an automatic packagecarrier, the gate-opening mechanism being actuated by the package to open the gate when a package is brought to the scales, and the gateclosin g mechanism being actuated to close the gate by the tipping of the scales, either gate-moving' mechanism becoming illoperative before the other becomes operative.

lAnother feature consists in a carrier which carries the package to the scales and withdraws from contact with the package while it is on the scales and removes the package when filled.

Another feature consists in the novel contact mechanism.

Our invention further consists in numerous other features which will be more particularly described and claimed.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is aplan of the scales and gate-closing contact. Fig. 4L is a side view of the auxiliary beam and of the gateclosing contact, partly in section, with the contact open. Fig. 5 is a similar view with the contact closed. Fig. 6 is an end view, partly in section, on lines 6 (i of Fig. 4I. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the contact on line 7 7 of Fig. et. Fig. S is a detail section through the spring push-pin. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the table and scale-pan and rings and adjacent parts in detail, showing their position when a can has just reached the scale and before the gate isopened. Fig. l0 is a side view of Fig. 9. Fig. 1l is an end view of Fig. 9. Fig. l2 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 9 immediately after the gate is opened. Fig. 13 is an end view of the same. Fig. il is a side view of the gate-opening contact when the contact is closed. Fig. l5 is a plan view of a part of the machine, showing the locking mechanism for locking the package-carrying ring to the revolving gear when the package-ring is locked to the gear-ring. Fig. 1G is a side view of the locking mechanism and section through the ring and gear, showing one of the locking-pins unlocked. The rings are supposed to be locked, however, by the other pin, which is partly broken away. Fig. 17 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. l5 when the rings are unlocked. Fig. 18 is an end View. detail plan of the hooked lever freeing the spring-plug connected with the locking mechanism just after a can is filled. Fig. 2O is a side View of the mechanism, partly in section, with the rings locked. Fig. 2l is a diagram Showing the wire connections. The Wires are omitted from the most of the drawings for greater clearness in showin g the other parts;

Fig. 19 isa IOO but the proper connections will be understood by reference to the diagram.

G G' are two solenoids whose cores g5 11" are connected by a block or union gl. The core of the :forward solenoid, G, is connected with the 0ate g, which controls the outlet of the hopper Il, and the circuit is made alternately through the two solenoids, so that the gate is opened and closed by the reciprocation of the core at the proper times for feeding and for stopping the flow of goods, as will be more particularly described hereinafter.

Il is the frame. A link 71l is pivoted at one end te the union gl', and at its other end it is pivoted to the lever 7L', which is f ulcrumed in the bracket 71.2 attached to the frame. The lever 7L' has forked ends 71 :i 7N, which have pins sliding in a groove in the clutch 71". This clutch is keyed to the driving-shaft 7L, upon which it is free to move laterally and is adapted to engage with a clutch 7o on the hub of the pinion-wheel 717mounted on the main d riving-shaft 715. This main shaft may be driven by any suitable power. In the diagram shown in Fig. 2l we have Arepresented the power as being supplied by an electric motor. Pinion-wheel 71`^` engages with the two pinionwheels 7LR 711, which drive the revolving combs 71 7L, which serve as 'feeders and keep the sticky or moist goods from lumping and break up the lumps if already formed. Then the `gate is closed, as shown in Figs. l and 2, the clutches 71l and 71 are disengaged and the combs are not in motion, as it is not desirable to stir the goods except during the feeding. lVhen the gate is opened the clutches will be brought into engagement and the combs will be set in operation.

I is a stationary circular table on which the empty cans or boxes are placed in :front of the hooked fingers l as :fast as the full cans are removed.

.l is a fixed inside .ring which supports the ring L.

The gear-ring l( is supported on ball-bearings in the finger-ring L and is geared to the main driving-shaft and revolves constantly while the power is applied.

The ring L, which carries the package-feed ing fingers l', is revolved intermittently to bring the empty cans to the scale-pan as fast as the full ones are removed by means which will be explained in det-ail hereinafter.

For convenience of distinction from the other rings the ring Lis called the lingerring.

The main forked scale-beam A having the two arms A A' is pivoted on the knife-edge pivots a d resting on the hollow post l rising from the base B'. lVe prefer to make the beam of aluminium for lightness. On the forward end ot' these arms is pivoted the crossbar l) of the forked frame D, which supports the scale-pan D. The frame D is hinged at its lower end to the arm (7, which is pivot-ed in a slot in the adjustable screw (7' in the inside of the hollow pest 13. The screw c7 being adjustable horizontally allows the arm 7 to be adjusted to the same length as the forward arm of the main scale-beam, so as to secure a parallel movement of the arm i7 and forward arm of the scale-beam and also keep the poise and the scale-pan supportingfra1ne parallel and vertical. The rear arm of the scale-beam A has its up-and-down stroke limited by the adjustable set-screw stops 1721.7' set in the brackets on the upright post d. The poise d is made hollow, with an opening` in which is a plug 1.75, and the poise is partially filled with mercury, shot or other heavy easily removable material to bring it to the desired weight. Mercury is preferable because it is heavy and also more readily maintains a level when the scale-beam rises or falls.

The auxiliary scale-beam E is hinged at the rear end in the lupper end of standard E", and during certain periods of the operation the block e on the forward end rests on the block (7 on the rear end of the main scale-beam. The weights e are adjustable lengthwise on t-he auxiliary beam, so that the desired resistalice to the main beam may be secured, and the position of the poise (7l is adjusted by the screws (7T. The auxiliary beam has on one side a ratchet-piece c?, with which the upper end of angle-bar lever e c' engages. This angle-bar is pivoted on the fixed shaft c2. At the forward end of the horizontal arm c" of the angle-bar is piivoted the drop j", which :forms the core of the tapered plug or plunger l?. This plug is adapted to vlit into the cupj', forming the contact mechanism lf", which will be referred to hereinafter as the gatc-closi ng contact mechanism. The core of the plug .is inclosed in a tapered cylindcrfg, made of some non-conducting material. lVc prefer to make it of wood fiber, as being easily molded to the desired shape and excellent fo r the purpose. lt is made in two sections, like two col lars end toend. One of the sections made with an offset at the inner end, and the two sections when put together form a cylinder with tapering walls and a groove around the periphery. lVithin the groove isa ring or collar f3, of brass or other goed conducting material, whose outside is flush with the surface of the fiber-cylinder, so that the outside appearance of the whole is as of a plug tapering downward. The cup f is composed of two semicircular sections, of brass or other good conducting material, to each of which is clamped one of the wires. The two scctions of the cup are insulated from each other and from the base B/ bythe strips of libel-j" The inside of the cup flares to ["orm a snug t for the tapered plug F. lVhen the plug drops into the cup the circuit is closed through the rear solenoid as soon as (,eontact is made bythe metal collar on the plug wedg ing into the cup and coming into contact with the two metal sections of the cup. lVhen the upper end of the vertical arm c of the anglebar rests in the notch c3 of ratchet-piece c3 the This is its posiplug is held out of contact.

IOO

IIS

IBO

tion when an empty can first reaches the scale-pan and the gate is closed, as in Fig. 1 and in most of the other drawings, except where it is specially mentioned that the igu re represents a different stage in the operation. At this stage the electric current is not passing through either solenoid, both contacts being open, the gate being closed when the upper contact was last made and left closed when that contact was broken. As soon as the circuit is made through the rear solenoid, G', the gate g slides open, the bent lever g, connected with the core of the solenoid, is

turned on its pivot mcarrying back the sprin seated pin G3, and the goods iiow into the can.

lVhen the can contains the required Weight, the scale-pan drops, the rear endof the main scale-beam lifts the auxiliary beam, raising the ratchet-piece e2 from the end of the anglebar, and the coil-spring c4 around the shaft of the angle-bar throws the angle-bar forward on its pivot, and the plu g F is forced into its cup,

vmaking the contact and closing the circuit through the forward solenoid,which closes the gate. As the core of the solenoid slides in this closing movement it turns the bent lever g on its pivot, and the spring push-pin g5 pushes against the stud c5 projecting from the upright arm c6 on the other end of shaft c2 from the arm c, thereby tipping up the anglebar c c again and lifting the plug, immediately breaking the circuit. The moment the circuit is broken the package-moving ring L carrying the fingers I is locked to the constantly-moving gear-ring K by means which will be described hereinafter, and the full can is removed from the scale-pan and an empty can is moved toward the scale-pan. As soon as the can g2 reaches the middle of the scale-pan the circuit is made through the rear solenoid by means of the upper contact, as will be explained. The gate is thereby opened and the goods begin to flow, as already described.

The position of the poise on the main scalebeam and of the weights on the auxiliary beam is determined experimentally according to the proposed weight of goods for each package before the machine is set in operation. The length of arm of the main scale-beam and of the auxiliary beam from the respective pivots should be different, so that the vibrations will be in different times and neutralize each other.

The push-pin g5 is spring-seated, its spring g4 being a little more powerful than the spring c on the shaft of the anglebar, which tends to hold the plug in the cup; but the spring c4 is powerful enough, taken together with the friction caused by the snug fit of the plug, so that the spring of the pin is nearly all taken up during the first part of the movement of lever g on its pivot before the push-pin begins to lift the plug. Then, when the core of the solenoid has nearly completed its forward stroke, the spring of the push-pin is all taken up and the power of the now compressed spring is sufficient to enable the lever g to overcome thespring c4, and as the core of the solenoid completes its movement the plug is quickly lifted, breaking the contact.

Referring now especially to Figs. 9 to 13, c' t" are guides between which the empty can is carried just before it reaches the scale-pan. The inner guide, t', is fixed to the table, and the outer guide, t", is pivoted at the entrance end on the pivot ft2, which also serves as a pivot for the lever @"5 immediately beneath the guide i. Fixed to one side of the guide f', near its exit end, is a pin t5, which projects through a `slot in an earj upon the lever 5, and around the pin is a spring i4. Normally the exit-opening is narrower than the entrance and does not permit the can to pass through without pressing against the guides and spreading the outer one, t", thereby compressing spring t and also spreading out the lever i5, which in its first position does not lie quite as far in- Ward as the guide fi', and therefore does not come directly in contact with the can.

A stud j on the exit end of the lever i5 projects down through a slot ,jg in the table l, and to this stud j is pivoted the bent rod d, which is pivoted at its other end to the lever i7, said lever t7 being fast to the shaft is. To the upper end of this shaft is fixed the arm i9, which in its normal position rests upon the top of the cap Zt, in which position it is held by the torsion-spring 10 around the shaft 5 to prevent the cap Zo from rising. There is a series of package-moving lingers I', each of which is held in a bracket Za', which is fast to the lower end of the shaft k2, and the camlever Zo is fast to the upper end of said shaft. The shaft turns in a boss upon the ring L, and around it is atorsion-spring 7a4. (Shown in Fig. l.) Thisspring is to keep the cam end of lever Zag against the ring L until it reaches the cam-track 705 shortly before the can reaches the scale-pan. This cam-track isa curved fiange-piece supported on a bent bracket Za, which arches over the gear-ring K and is fastened to the inner side of the stationary ring J. The lever Z55 has a beveled end which, as the fin ger-ring L revolves, comes in contact with the beveled lower end of stud k7, which projects downward from the under side of cap The coilspring Zas around the stud k7 tends to hold the stud down against the camtrack. The stud moves up andgdown in a boss Z fastened to the side of the arched bracket k above the cam-track 7&5. This boss Z has an upwardly-extending arm jf, to the end of which is pivoted the arm Z, which is also pivoted to the cap k. The tooth-latch Z3 on the under side of lever Z engages with tooth in on the arm i9 at a certain stage in the operation after the arm 9 is removed from the cap Zo to prevent the spring 10 from pulling the arm i9 back against the cap Z; until the proper time arrives. The lever Z' forms a bar to prevent the forward thrust of the sliding rod Z2 under pressure of spring Z4. Link Z5 is pivoted to the side of rod Z2, the pivot forming a stop for the spring IOO IIO

Zl. Link Z5 is also pivoted to the upper end of angle-bar contact-lever Z, supported in the bracket Z7, which is attached to the supports of the machine. The angle-bar ZG operates the plunger of the contact mechanism M, which forms a part of the circuit through the rear or gate-opening solenoid, G', and which is similar to the gate-closing contact meehanisin F already described.

lVhen in operation a can approaches the scales, it passes through the guides z' 'L7 and spreads the outer guide, if, and also the lever slightly, which, acting through rod ZG and vlever 7, moves the arm 'ZD to one side away from the cap Zr, allowing the inclined back of the tooth Z on the upper side of arm i to push ag'ainst the inclined back of tooth Z on the under side of lever Z' and ride under it, raising lever Z and stud ZJ" and cap Z.: slightly lin so doing, but not sufficiently to allow the rod Z2 to be thrust forward. The spring around stud 7.5i immediately pulls it down again, and the two teeth engage and prevent the arm i from being pulled back by its spring lil". rlhis is the position shown in Figs. S), l0 and il. rihe beveled end of camlever Zt* riding on the cam-track Zr has now reached the stud Zai, and the arm lZ 0 being removed from the top of cap 7e lever Zei raises the stud lt'T and cap Zt', thereby raising lever Z from the front of the rod Z2 and allowing the latter to be thrust forward by the spring Z1. At the same time the tooth 1f is released f rom engagement by the tooth Z3, and the arm lZ is drawn part way back; but as the cap Zt' is now raised arm Z will bear against the side of the cap, as shown in Figs. i2 and 13, instead of resting on top. As the rod Z2 shoots forward it carries the link Z5, which pulls the an gie-bar contact-lever Zi forward on its pivot, and the plug in the contact mechanism M is forced into its cup, making' the contact and completing the circuit through the rear solenoid, G, and opening the gate.

The shaftm is rigidly attached to the arm qs proj ecting from the union gi betweeen the solenoids. The spring-seated push-pin m is held in a barrel m2 Vfixed to the side ofthe shaft m. As the core of the solenoid slides back, opening the gate, it carries back wit-h it the shaft fm., and the push-pin m strikes the lug ZS on the end of link Z5, tipping up the anglebar ZU and opening the contact M, so that the gate is now open and both contacts are open, leaving the circuit broken through both solcnoids. This backward movement of the shaft m also draws back the rod Z2 from under the lever Z', compressing spring Z* again and allowing the spring ZJ to pull the cap Zt' and its stud Zei and the arm Z down to their normal positions. As soon as cap Zt' descends, the arm fi will be drawn back by its spring' 'Zw to its position ot' rest on top of cap Zt'.

As soon as cam-lever Zt'ii passes the stud Zal and runs olf of cam-track ZJ" onto the periphery of the nger-ring L again, the spring Zt" turns the shaft of the cam-lever slightly backward and thereby causes the linger l/ to be drawn back from contact with'nthe can which has now reached its place on the scalepan beneath the feed-chute of the hopper. The withdrawing' of the linger from contact with the can prevents any friction of the finger from interfering with free movement of the scales. As soon as the can contains the required weight, the scale-pan drops and gate-closing contact F is closed, making the circuit through the forward solenoid, G, and closing the gate, as already described. The surface of the table I on which the cans stand is lower at the exit side of the scale-pan than at the entrance side, so that when the sealepan drops it will not fall below the level ol' the exit side, and when the iinger-ring is again set in motion the full can will be pushed along' off the scale-pan onto the table on the exit side and the scalcpan will rise again ready for another can.

If by chance a nger passes around with no can in front to spread the guide '17, the rod i and lever ZT and arm Z will remain stationary with arm l1l still restin e' on top ol' cap Za. Therefore the cam-lever Zei' cannot lift the stud l.'T and has to ride past outside of it. Lever Z will continue to bar the end of rod Z2 and gate-opening contact M will remain open, so that the gate will remain closed and prevent the flow of goods when no canv is in place io receive them.

If the rod i, lever I', shaft 1lx and arm 'Ware omitted, it is obvious that the cam-lever Zr will lift the stud Zei directly and open the gate whether there is any can in place to receive the flow of g'oods or not, and therefore these elements are not essential to the operation of the machine, but are preferable in order to save wasting the goods in the event of earelessness of the operatoria leaving out a can.

The mechanism for locking the fingern-ing to the gear-ring will now be described, special reference being made to l5 to 20.

N N are bosses on the rear legs NEN olf the machine.

N" is a horizontal bracket connecting the legs and supporting the rear solenoid, (1J. 'lhe boss N5 holds a shaft n, which forms the pivot for the bent lever g. The flanged l n'acketplate nii, bowed outward, has bearings by which it is mounted on the parallel shafts n n', which allow a slight lateral movement to the plate. This bracket is located at the rear end of the machine below the rings.

In the under side of the gear-ling' li is a series of holes n adapted to receive the sprin seated pins n. set in the bosses p2 on Athe iinger-ring L. There should be one of these spring-pins n," to correspond with each finger l. The holes amay be placed at shorter intervals than the pins to make sure of speedy engagement at the proper time. A plug' 71"' is spring-seated within the boss n projecting from the under side of the bracketplatc n, and a pin n7 projects from the side of the plu A shaft 'as is pivoted in bearings n. n" .lixed ICO IiO

to the bracket n2. A forwardly-projecting lever nl@ is fixed to the shaft u8 and has near its free end an elongated slot through which projects the pin nl, whereby the spring-plug a5 is given a vertical movement when the lever n10 rocks with its shaft. Upon the shaft n.8 is also fixed an upwardly-projecting lever p having a hook p' upon its upper end, said lever rocking with the shaft ns and bringing the hook p' in front of one of the bosses p2 to stop the rotation of the finger-ring at the proper time.

p3 is another forwardly-projecting lever fixed to the rock-shaft as and lifts the inclined cam P3 by bearing up against the lug 2J" on the under side of said cam when the shaft rocks backward. A plate P is secured to supports P P2 extending up from the bracketplate n2. Pivoted in the support P is a cam P3, with a lug P4, which rests upon the lever p3. The inclined face of the cam is projected up through a slot in the plate P by the lever p3 when the shaft 11S rocks back, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20. A pin r :lined in thefraine H', as shown in Fig. 1, extends downward and forms a guide for the hooked cain-lever r2 pivoted in the arm r attached to the shaft m. The cam-lever is held against the pin l'r' by the spring rw. A lever yr3 is fixed to the upper end of shaft r4, supported in bracket T5 attached to the stationary ring J. A knife-lever r is fixed to the lower end of shaft r4 and the torsion-spring rl around the shaft r4 tends to hold the shaft so as to keep the knife-lever r6 with its edge extending through a slot in the side of the boss n and into a notch in the side of the spring-plug a5, so as to prevent the latter from rising until the knife is withdrawn after a can is iilled and the rings are to be locked again.

Vhile a can is being illed, of course the rings K and L are not locked together, because the finger-ring L must then remain at rest and the gear-ring K is in constant motion. 1n Figs. 15, 16, and 2O the rings are supposed to be locked together (being locked in Fig. 16 by the pin which is partly broken away to clearly show the parts behind it) and the iinger-ring has nearly completed its forward movement with a can approaching the scalepan. When one of the bosses holding a springpin n* arrives against the hooked lever p, the contact for the rear solenoid will have formed, opening the gate and drawing back the shaft fm and lever yr2 from the position shown in Fig. 15 tothe position shown in Fig. 17. Lever r2 rides back over the pin r and the hooked end rs hooks onto the pin r9, but does not yet move the lever r3, and the knife-lever r6 still remains in the spring-plugy 015. These parts all remain stationary while the can is being filled.

As soon as the can is filled and the scalebeam drops and the gate begins to close, shaft m and lever yr2 are moved forward, pulling the levers r3 and r6 into the position shown in on lever Ir3 Figs. 19 and 20, with the stud r" j ust about to slip oft' the hook and the knifelever fr withdrawn from the slot n in the spring-plug. This allows the spring-plug to rise and throw the spring-pin n4 into the hole in the gear-ring K. As the spring-plug rises, the pin nl, projecting from the plug into the slot of lever n10, causes the shaft na, on which the levers nl@ and p and p3 are xed, to rock back,and carries them into the position shown in Fig. 20, withdrawing the hook p from the boss p2 and leaving it free to pass the hook p, and the two rings move together. The head of the spring-pin n slides along the plate P, which keeps the pin from dropping down. `When the pin comes to the cam P3, which is now sticking up through the plate P, as shown in Fig. 20, the pin pushes the cam down, thereby pressing down lever p3 and causing shaft its to rock forward again, and the levers p3, nl, and p are restored to the position shown in Figs. 15 and 1G, and depressing the springplug irl to its lower position, and knife-lever fr is again pressed by its torsion-spring rl into the slot in the side of the plug, as shown in Fig. 15, the hook of cam-lever r2 having in the meantime entirely released its hold on the pin rf. The two rings continue revolving together until the spring-pin n* leaves the plate P, when the pin is free to respond to the downward pull of its spring, and it is withdrawn from the hole in the gear-ring. At this time another boss p2, inclosing a springpin, will have reached the hook p, which catches the boss and stops the revolution of the finger-ring. In the meantime, also, another can will have reached the scale-pan. ln order to break the shock when the boss strikes the stop-hook p', as the two rings revolve quite rapidly, the bearings of the bracketplate n2 are allowed a little play laterally on the shafts n n, and a spring n.12 on the shaft n/ forms a cushion.

In Fig. 2l, S represents a battery, and T an electric motor, G the forward solenoid, which closes the gate, and G" the rear solenoid, which opens the gate. Vire X, leading from one pole of the battery, has a branch wire X' leading to the motor, and a branch X2 leading to one side of the cup of the closing contact mechanism F'. The line is continued by the wire X3 from the other side of the cup up to the forward or closing solenoid, G. The wire X4 tacked onto the wire X2 leads to the opening-contact M, and the line is continued by the wire X5 leading to the rear or opening solenoid, G. Vllire 'y leads from the other pole of the battery and has abranch y leading to the motor, a branch y2 leading to the forward or closing solenoid, and a branch ya leading to the rear or opening solenoid.

YWhat we claim as our invention is- 1. In a weighing and package-filling inachine, the combination of a feed-hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the iiow of goods from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate-closin g solenoid having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source of IOO TIO

electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, automatic mechanism which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the contact in the circuit through the gate-opening solenoid whereby the gate is opened, and mechanism which again opens said contact before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, automatic mechanism which closes the contact in the circuit through the gateclosing solenoid when the package is iilled whereby the gate is closed, and automatic mechanism which opens said contact again bel'ore the gate-opening solenoid becomes operative, substantially as described.

3. In a weighing and package-iilling machine, the combination of a feed-hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the ilow of goods from the hopper, a gate-oliening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, automatic mechanism which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the contact in the circuit through the gate-opening solenoid whereby the gate is opened, and mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, automatic mechanism which closes the contact in the circuit through the gateelosing solenoid when the package is iilled, whereby the gate is closed, and mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-opening solenoid becomes operative, the package-carrying mechanism removing the package :from the scales, substantially as described.

In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination oi a 'feed-hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the :flow ol goods 'from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, automatic mechanism which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the contact in the circuit through the gate-opening solenoid whereby the gate is opened, and mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism operated by the tipping of the scale-beam when the package is iilled which closes the contact in the circuit through the gate-closing solenoid whereby the gate is closed, and mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-openin g solenoid becomes operative, substantially as described.

4. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a feed-hopper, a wei ghing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate-closin g solenoid havin g cores con neci ed with each other and with the gate, a source oi' electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of cach circuit, automatic mechanism which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit, allowing the gate to be opened and mechan ism which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping' of the scales when the package is iilled, which closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit allowing the gate to be closed, and intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid which again opens said cont-act, substantially as described.

5. In a weighing and package-Iilling machine, the combination ot a -feed-hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the [low oi goods from the hopper, automatic mechanism which ca'rries a package to the scales, intermediate mechanism operated by the package as it moves tothe scales which causes the gate to open, and intern'iediate mechanism operated by the tipping ol the scales when the package is iilled, whereby the gate is closed, substantially as described.

(i. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a iced-hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the flow ol goods from the hopper, an automatic intermittently-nioving package-carrier, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier as it moves to the scales which causes the gate to o pen, intermediate mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package filled whereby the gate is closed, automatic A mechanism which removes the iilled pac kage and mechanism which again presents an empty package to the scales, substantially as described.

7. In a weighing and package-Iilling machine, the combination oll a feed-hopper, a wei ghing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate-closing' solenoid having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source oi. electrical supply, an electrical circuit th rough each solenoid, a contact mechanism in each circuit, an automatic intermittently-1noting package-carrier, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier as it moves to the scales which closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit, allowing the gate to be opened, intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core ol;` the solenoid which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping oi the scales when the package is iilled which closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, and intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid to again open said contact, substantially as described.

S. In a weighing and package-iilling machine, the combination ot' a hopper, aweigh- IDO TIO

ing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, an automatic packagecarrier, mechanism actuated by the packagecarrier as it moves a package to the scales which causes the gate to open, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the scales, and mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled, whereby the gate is closed, substantially as described.

Si. In a weighing and package-filling machine the combination of a hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the iiow of goods from the hopper, an automatic packagecarrier, mechanism actuated by the packagecarrier as it moves a package to the scales which opens the gate, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the scales, mechanism actuated bythe tipping of the scales when the package is filled whereby the gate is closed, and automatic mechanism which removes the iilled package and again presents an empty package to the scales, substantially as described.

lO. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a hopper, aweighing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism in each circuit, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier as it moves a package to the scales which closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit allowing the gate to be opened, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the scales, mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid which opens the contact in the gate-opening circuit before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled which closesthe contact in the gate-closing circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, and mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid to again open said contact, substantially as described.

ll. In a weighing and package-iilling machine, the combination of a hopper, aweighing-scale, a gate which controls the iiow of goods from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism in each circuit, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier as it moves a package to the scales which closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit allowing the gate to be opened, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the scales, mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid which opens the contact in the gate-opening circuit before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is iilled which closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid to again open said contact, and mechanism to remove the filled package from the scales and again present an empty package to the scales, substantially as described.

l2. In a weighing and package-filling machine the combination of a hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate, and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier which completes the circuit through said medium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then opened, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source ofV energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, and mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when a package is iilled which completes the circuit through the last-mentioned medium so that the gate then closes,the circuit through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, substantially as described.

I3. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a hopper, aweighing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate, and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier which completes the circuit through said medium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then opened, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when a package is filled which completes the circuit through the last-mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force transmitted IOO IIO

through the other medium becomes operative, and mechanism to remove the filled package from the scales, substantially as described.

,l-t. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a hopper, aweighing-scale, a gate which controls the flow ot goods :trom the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism tor opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the moving package which completes the circuit through said medium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then opened, a medium with a make-aud-break device through which :force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, and mechanism actua-ted by the tipping' of the scales when a package is filled which completes the circuit through the last-mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circu it through either medium being brokenbe- :tore the mechanism actuated by torce transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, substantially as described.

15. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the :flow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-and-break device through which iorce is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the package-carrier as it moves a package to the scales which completes the circuit through said medium so that the gate is then opened, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the scales, a medium with a makeand-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, and mechan ism actuated by the tipping ot the scales when a package is filled which completes the circuit through the last-mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, substantially as described.

16. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination ot' a hopper, a weighingscale, a gate which controls the :flow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package-cari-ier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a 1nake-and-break device through which force is transmitted :from said source ot' energy to the mechanism for opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the moving package which completes the circuit through said mcdium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then opened, a medium with a makean d-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, mechanism actuated by the tipping ol' the scales when a package is filled which completes the circuit through the lastanentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit through either medium being broken bel'ore the mechanism actuated by torce transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, and mechanism which removes the filled package from the scales, substantially as described.

17. In a weighing and package-:filling machine, the combination of' a hopper, a weigh ing-scale, a gate which controls the ,flow ol goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source oli' energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package-carrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-andbreak device through which force is transmitted from said source ol' en ergy to the mechanism for opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the paclctge-carrier as it moves a package to the scales which completes the circuit through said medium so that the gate is then opened, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the scales, a medium with a makeand-break device through which iorce is transmitted from said source of.' energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when a package is Afilled which completes the circuit through the last-mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force traiismitted through the other medium becomes operative and mechanism which removes the filled package :trom the sca-les, substantially as described.

1S. ln an automatic weighing' and packagefilling machine, the combination olf a hopper, a weighing-seale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic packagecarrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a inakca1ulln-eak dc lIOC) vice through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening the gate, a lever connected with said make-and-break device having a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed and a latch device which holds the circuit open,'

the latch being released by the package-carrier when a package is brought to the scales, the circuit then becoming closed and the reciprocating rod moving to open the gate, a device connected with the reciprocating rod which, when the gate opens, breaks the circuit and resets the latch, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy -to the mechanism for closing the gate, a lever connected with said make-and-break device having a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed, and a latch device which holds the circuit open, the latch being released by the tipping of the scales when a package is filled, the circuit then becoming closed, and the reciprocating rod moving to close the gate, a lever connected with the reciprocating rod, which when the gate closes, breaks the circuit and resets the latch, substantially as described.

19. In an automatic weighingand package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the iiow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic packagecarrier, mechanism which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for openin g the gate, a lever connected with said make-and-break device having a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed, and a compound latch device which holds the circuit open, the latch being partially released by mechanism actuated by the package as it moves toward the scales, after which the latch is further released'by mechanism actuated by the package-carrier, the circuit then becoming closed and the reciprocating rod moving to open the gate, a device connected with the reciprocating rod which, when the gate opens, actuates the make-andbreak lever to break the circuit, and resets the latch, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, a lever connected with said make-and-break device having a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed, and a latch device which holds the circuit open,the latch being released by the tipping of the scales when a package is filled, the circuit then becoming elosed, and the reciprocating rod moving to close the gate, a lever connected with the reciprocating rod which when the gate closes, actuates the make-andbreak lever to break the circuit and reset the latch, substantially as described.

20. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a reciprocating rod which opens and closes the feed-gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted to close the gate, a lever connected with said make-and-break device having a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed, a slide-rod Z2 and a link Z5 connecting the make-and-break lever with said slide-rocha cam-stud 707 having pivoted thereto an arm Z which bars the forward movements of the slide-rod Z2 and prevents the closing of the makeand-break device, a cam-lever mounted in the package-carrier which lifts said cam-stud and the bar Z whereby the slide-rod Z2 is free to move forward under the bar Z and the make-and-break lever-spring is effective to close the circuit, guides'between which a package passes before reaching the scales, one of said guides being pivoted at the entrance end and spread by the package as it moves toward the scales, pivoted arm if which prevents the lifting movement of the stud 71:7 until a package enters the guideway, intermediate mechanism actuated by the package in passing through the guideway which releases the arm i and leaves the stud free to rise by the action of the cam-lever, and the circuit to be closed, whereupon the reciprocating rod opens the feed-gate, a push-pin carried with the reciprocating rod and actuating the make-and-break lever to open the circuit, retracting the slide-rod Z2 and allowing the cam-stud k7 to return to its first-described position, and a spring which moves the arm i back to its first-described position, substantially as described.

2l. In a weighing and package-filling machine, an intermittently-moving carriage, a

series of package-moving fingers fixed on.

shafts having bearings in the carriage, a camlever fixed on each of said shafts, va movable stud with which said cam-levers engage,mech

anism set in operation by the movement of said stud which opens the feed-gate, a camtrack on which the cam-lever rides before engaging with the stud and during the engagement, a spring which holds the cam-lever on the track and causes the shaft on which the cam -lever and finger are fixed to rotate slightly backward and remove the finger from contact with the package when the cam-lever passes from the cam-track, substantially as described.

22. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a weighing-scale, a main scale-beam having one arm which sustains the load and another arm which sustains the weight, an auxiliary beam pivoted independently of the main scale-beam and having one end engaged by the weighted arm of the main scale-beam and lifted by it when the latter is tipped by a load, a gate which IOC IIO

controls the llow of goods to the scales, mechanism which closes said gate when the scalebeam tips, a source of energy and a medium with a make-and-break device through which :torce is transmitted from said source to operate the gate-closin g mechanism, a pivoted lever to one arm of which is pivoted the makeand-break device of the gate-closing circuit, a spring which tends to hold the make-andbreak device closed, a catch which holds the lever .from yielding to its spring, the tipping of the scale-beam operating to trip the lever and allow the n1 ake-and-break device to close the circuit and thereby close the gate, substantially as described.

225. In a weighing and package-lilling machine, an iiitermittently-moving package-carrier which carries a package to the scalesl and 'withdraws from contact with the package while the package is being iilled,'and then removes the Vlilled package 'from the scales, substantially as described.

2l. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination o'i' a continuously-1e volving driving-ring which drives the package-carrier, a package-moviiig ring, mechanism for automatically locking the packagemoving ring tothe driving-ring and unlocking them intermittently, a series of packagemoving fingers attached to the package-moving ring, and a 'stationary package-supporting table on which the packages are moved by said fingers to the scales, substantially as described.

25. An electrical-contact mechanism consisting of a cup composed of two sections of conducting material insulated if rom eachother and from the base and having outwa1' .`llyi1a1. ing interior walls, and a plunger of non-conducting material having a tapering collar of some conducting material which snugly iits in said cup, substantially as described,

Ql. In a weighing and package-lling machine, the combination oil a continuously-revolving driving-ring, a package-moving ring, mechanism for automatically locking the two rings together and unlocking them whereby the two rings move together until a package reaches the scales when the two rings become unlocked, a detent which restrains the package-moving ring from movement while the package is being iilled, and mechanism which releases the detent and allows the two rings to again become locked and move together alter the package is iilled and removed, substantially as described.

27. In a weighing and packagc-iilling machine, the combination of a continuously-revolving driving-ring, a package-moving ring, a series oispring-seated pins on one ol the rings, a series ol.' sockets in the other ring, and mechanism which causes one oi' the springpins to enter one oi' the sockets and lock the two rings together and cause them to travel together until a package reaches the scalepan, when the two rings become unlocked, a detent which stops the package-ring from further movement while the package is bein filled, and mechanism which then releases the detent and allows the two rings to again become locked and move together, substantially as described.

In a weighing and package-iilling machine, the combination oi a continuously-revolving driving-ring, a package-movin g rin g, below the driving-ring, a series ol' sockets in the driving-ring, a series oli' slnfing-seated locking-pins in the package -moving ring which come into alignment with the sockets during the revolution of the driving-ring, u spring-actuated push-plug which aligns with the lockii'ig-pins in turn as the package-ringl revolves, a detent which holds down said push-plug while a package is on the scales being iilled, mechanism actuated by lhe tipping oi the scales which removes the dctent from the push-plug, a spring which then actuates the push-plug to lthrust one oi' the locking-Inns into a socket in the driving-ring, a track-plate which holds the locking-pin to iis engagement so that the rings move together during a part oi a revolution until another package reaches the scales, at which time the locking-pin leaves the track-plate and the rings become unlocked and a deieut which at the same time stops the revolution ol' ihe package-ring, substantially as described.

29. In a weighing and packagcsiilling machine the combination olf a reciprocatilig rod which opens and closes the feed-gate, a conti uously-revolvin g driving-ring which drives the package-carrier, a package-moving ring bellow the driving-ring, a series ol' sockets in the driving-ring, a series oi spring-seated locking-pins in the paekage-moving ringl which come into alignment with the sockets during the revolution of the driving-ring, a spring-actuated push-plug which aligns wilh the locking-pins in turn as the package-ring revolves, a spring-controlled lever r" which holds back the push-plug while a package is on the scales being iilled, a shaft i" on which said lever is iixed, a lever fr also fixed on said shaft, mechanism which slides the reciprocating rod and closes the gate when the package is iilled, a hooked cam-.lever fri pivoted to an arm on a shaft attached to said reciprocating rod which, when the gate is opened by Al'he reciprocating' rod, engages with a stud on said lever 7', and which when the gate closes pulls the lever r from engagement with the push-plug, a spring which then actuates the push-plug to thrust one of the locking-pins into a socket in the driving-ring, a traek-plate l which holds the locking-pin to its engagement so that the two rings move together during a part ol' a revolution until another package reaches the scales, at which time the lockingpin leaves the ltraek-plate and the rings become unlocked, and a stoplever p p iixed on a rock-shaft which is actuated by the pushsplug through intermediate mechanism to remove its restraint when the rings are locked, and which is actuated by TOO TIO

the locking-pin through intermediate mechanism as it travels over the track-plate to return to its position in readiness to stop the package-ring when another package is on the scales, substantially as described.

30. The combination of a reciprocating rod, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, mechanism which moves said rod, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for reciprocating the rod, a pivoted angle-bar lever to one arm of which is pivoted the make-and-break device, a spring which tends to hold the make-and-break device closed, a lever fulcrumed at a point between its two ends, pivoted at one end to the reciprocating rod, and carrying a spring-seated push-pin at its other end, the push-pin lever operating to turn the make-and-break lever on itspivot and open the circuit when the vrod reciprocates in one direction, the make-and-break lever-spring turning it back again and closing the circuit when the rod reciprocates in the reverse direction and withdraws the pushpin from 'its engagement, substantially as described.

Sl. In a weighing and package-lling machine, the combination of a hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the iiow of goods from the hopper, a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies power to reciprocate said rod, mechanism which moves said rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make-and-break device through which force is transmitted Jfrom said source of energy to the mechanism for opening the gate and a medium with a makeand -break device through which force is transmitted to close the gate, a pivoted anglebar lever to one arm of which is pivoted the make-and-break device of the gateclosing circuit, a spring which tends to hold the make-and-break device closed, a catch attached to the scale-beam which yholds the angle-bar from yielding to its spring, and a lever fulcrumed at a point between its two ends and pivoted at one end to the reciprocating rod and carrying a push-pin at its other end, the tipping of the scale-beam operating to trip the angle-bar and allowing it to yield to its spring, thereby closing the circuit through the gate-closing medium whereby the reciprocating rod moves to close the gate, and turn the push-pin lever which then operates to lift the make-and-break lever and open the circuit again, substantially as described. Y

32. In a weighing and package-filling machine, the combination of a feed-hopper, a weighing-scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-opening and a gate closing solenoid, having cores connected with each other and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, a package-moving ring, a continuously-revolving ring which drives the package-moving ring, mechanism for automatically locking the two rings together and causing them to move together until a package is moved to the scalepan and then unlocking them and stopping the package-moving ring, mechanism which is actuated to close the contact in the gateopening circuit when the package moves to the scale-pan, allowing the gate to be opened, intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled which closes the contact in the gateclosing circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid to again open said contact, and mechanism for again locking the two rings together whereby the illed package is removed from the scales and an empty package is brought to the scales, substantially as described. l

WILLIAM I-I. DOBLE. GEORGE NV. IVATSON. Witnesses A. I. CRAWFORD, W. A. CorELAND. 

